A small coastal community in the South Wairarapa has been left isolated after heavy rain caused rivers to overflow, flooding roads, paddocks, and homes.
According to a report by Local Democracy Reporting (LDR), all roads leading into the settlement of Lake Ferry were inundated after severe weather caused widespread flooding across the area. Reports indicate parts of a local motel were submerged under approximately one metre of water.
Floodwaters from the Tūranganui River covered the main road into the settlement, while the Tauanui River burst its banks, flooding nearby farmland. Families living on low-lying properties evacuated to Pirinoa Hall for safety.
Lake Ferry resident Vicky Prout described the situation facing the isolated community.
"We are quite blocked off. It’s all flooded through the paddocks. The power went out last night and it's still out," she said, LDR has quoted.
"The lake level is quite high."
Prout said her husband had checked on the Gateway Motel at the entrance to the settlement and found some of the units were up to a metre under water.
"We are not panicking yet. If the lake starts flooding, we will think about evacuating," as quoted by LDR.
She said residents were supporting one another by checking on elderly neighbours and those without internet access.
According to LDR, Lake Ferry Road from Martinborough into the township was heavily damaged on Monday afternoon following hours of intense rainfall and strong winds. Water poured down surrounding hillsides and pooled along the roadway as paddocks filled and turned into muddy lakes. The storm continued into its second day, bringing ongoing rain and wind.
Local farmers moved their livestock to higher ground to protect them from rising water levels. Fallen trees and branches were scattered across sections of the road, and in one area, a large tree had been cleared and left on the roadside, LDR has reported.
ISSUE
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